There are lots of wild (or at least surly) dogs in Peru, as trekkers in places like the Cordillera Huayhuash soon find out. If you are planning to spend a lot of time trekking in Peru, you should consult with your doctor about getting a rabies vaccine.

There are lots of things you can do to avoid being bitten by a dog. As cute or as hungry as a dog may look, be careful about petting a dog in Peru unless you know the owner. Many street dogs have been mistreated and have highly unpredictable behavior.

If you are walking into an area with dogs, collect a few stones. All Peruvian dogs are acutely aware of how much a well-aimed stone can hurt, and they will usually scatter even if you pretend to pick up a stone, or pretend to throw one. This is by far the best way to stop a dog, or a pack of them, from bothering you.

If you do get bitten, wash the wound with soap and water and rinse it with alcohol or iodine. If possible, test the animal for rabies. Rabies is a fatal disease. If there is any doubt about whether the animal was rabid, you should receive rabies shots immediately.